What is the Difference Between Hiring By Yourself or Senior Helpers?

When you consider hiring a caregiver to help with services in your home, make sure you know the facts. Being well-informed can save you money and protect you from potential legal problems. Below are six components of senior care to consider when evaluating available care plans for you or your loved one.

Concern #1: Service

By Yourself: You are responsible for knowing what services are needed for your loved one.

Senior Helpers: We are responsible for making sure you get the right services from the right caregiver. We match caregivers to clients based on their personalities and skills.

Concern #2: Taxes & Injuries

By Yourself: You are responsible for reporting and paying taxes, social security, unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation (in case of a work related injury in the home) for the caregiver. Failure to do so can result in penalties with extensive fines.

Senior Helpers: The caregivers are our employees—they are not 1099. You pay Senior Helpers directly, and we manage all taxes and expenses related to employment that are required by the state and federal governments.

Concern #3: Supervision

By Yourself: You are in charge and responsible for managing the caregiver’s performance.

Senior Helpers: We manage all of our employees and will perform unscheduled supervisory visits.

Concern #4: Background Checks

By Yourself: You are responsible for performing a multi-state background check. Neglecting to order and review a background check could place your loved one in danger.

Senior Helpers: All of our employees are screened through criminal background checks and license checks, and are required to provide the proper identification.

Concern #5: Hiring & Scheduling

By Yourself: You are responsible for the interviewing and hiring process. You will also be responsible for scheduling. If a caregiver calls out or doesn’t show up, you will need to find their replacement.

Senior Helpers: We have extensive experience on hiring compassionate and dependable caregivers. We are also responsible for scheduling and ensuring reliable and consistent care.

Concern #6: Theft

By Yourself: You will be responsible if the employee steals from you or your loved one.

Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers is licensed, insured, and bonded. All of our employees are bonded.

Senior Helpers works very closely with family members keep up with the demands of daily living, meals, chores, errands, transportation, changing linens, etc. Our clients hire our professional caregivers for a few hours a day or up to 24/7. For further information on in-home companions, personal care and dementia support, contact Don or Donna Johnson, Senior Helpers, 118 Centre on the Lake, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367, phone 636-695-3140, or 314- 227-9376, or email DonaldJ@SeniorHelpers.com.